we have seen similar acts of terror in oakland and tucson and virginia tech, all across our country. we see the loss of life everyday all across this nation. after the unthinkable in newtown, president obama spoke about if we are doing enough to protect our children. the answer, he admitted, is no. that must change. that is why we are here today. we will hear from people who deal with the effects of gun violence every day. a wide range of experience and expertise when we will facilitate a discussion on it, then step the we must take to ensure that these tragedies will never happen again. i have a letter from the teachers of newtown, which i will enter into the record. but i will share one sentence. it says in our schools we need to strike the right balance to ensure that schools are nurturing while also say. safe. and we need to strike the right balance what the schools do not become in a place where they cannot be kids. we need to find and maintain this balance between safety and learning. as we move forward during this difficult time, collaboration, communication, value and the voi